Cheap flights to Nosy Be
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Quick summary
Country
Madagascar
Continent
Africa
Airport
NOS
Currency
Malagasy ariary (MGA)
Time zone
UTC+3 (EAT)
Deals already spotted to Nosy Be
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Why track Nosy Be with SniperAir
A resort island whose fares are best tracked well ahead
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Nosy Be, meaning "big island" in Malagasy, is a volcanic island off the northwest coast of Madagascar, in the Mozambique Channel, roughly 8 km from the mainland. Wikipedia (EN) calls it Madagascar's largest and busiest tourist destination and the only place in the country with big all-inclusive resorts; it is nicknamed "Nosy Manitra", the scented island, because of the ylang-ylang grown for essential oils. Its main town is the port of Hell-Ville (Andoany), but Wikivoyage (EN) notes that most travellers pick the island's beaches and skip the bustle of the town. Around it lie eleven crater lakes, a strict nature reserve and small islands such as Nosy Komba, Nosy Tanikely and Nosy Iranja. With a small airport and limited services, fares to NOS swing with the season; SniperAir follows them and alerts you at the right moment.
Airport and getting into town
Fascene airport in the east, and the crossing from Ankify
Nosy Be – Fascene International Airport (NOS)
Fascene Airport (NOS) is in the east of the island, about 15 km north-northeast of Hell-Ville according to Wikivoyage (FR). Wikipedia (EN) ranks it among the busiest in the country. It handles domestic flights, notably from Antananarivo, and international links that are often seasonal, with Europe, according to Wikivoyage (EN, DE); services change from one season to the next, so check them when you book. Wikivoyage (DE) advises arranging the hotel transfer in advance, with taxis and tuk-tuks still available on arrival.
Distance per Wikivoyage (FR): about 15 km between the airport and Hell-Ville; the other sources do not give it. We give neither journey times nor fares, which vary.
You can also arrive by sea: speedboats link Ankify on the mainland with Hell-Ville harbour in 40 to 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage (FR, EN, DE), and slower car ferries carry vehicles. Wikivoyage (EN) even mentions a combined bus and boat ticket from Antananarivo. Entry rules for Madagascar depend on your nationality: check the official sites.
Landmarks
Hell-Ville, crater lakes and islets: an island group to explore
Nosy Be is explored by road, from Mont Passot, and by sea. The five views below are illustrated; Andilana and Ambatoloaka beaches, the CNRO museum and the distilleries are described in text only.
Hell-Ville and its bay
Founded by the French in 1841 as a naval port, according to Wikipedia (FR), Hell-Ville is one of the oldest colonial towns in Madagascar. Its tin roofs, palm trees and bay spread out below the hills.
The bay and its sailboats
Wikivoyage (EN) suggests enjoying the beaches rather than the town, but the bay still makes a fine view: yachts at anchor, a green island, late-afternoon light.
A crater lake from Mont Passot
The island has eleven crater lakes, according to Wikipedia (EN, DE, ES). Wikipedia (DE) explains that locals regard them as the home of their ancestors: local taboos, the "fady", apply, such as approaching barefoot, dressed only in a wrap cloth and without a hat.
Nosy Iranja
Nosy Iranja, about 90 minutes by boat (Wikivoyage FR), forms two islands at high tide and one at low tide, joined by a 750 m sandy spit, according to Wikivoyage (EN), which calls the excursion a must-do.
Sunset from Mont Passot
Mont Passot, 329 m per Wikivoyage (FR) and Wikipedia (ES), is the favourite viewpoint for sunset, with a panorama over lakes and islands (Wikivoyage DE). A road leads up, and the hike is of medium difficulty.
Beyond these views, there is the Lokobe strict nature reserve, one of five in the country (Wikipedia EN, ES), reached by boat according to Wikivoyage (DE), with lemurs, chameleons and tiny frogs. Nosy Komba has a lemur park, Nosy Tanikely offers well-known snorkelling, and Wikivoyage (FR) also mentions Nosy Sakatia and the Mitsio islands. From August to November humpback whales and whale sharks visit the nearby waters, according to Wikivoyage (DE).
Museums and culture
Culture, ylang-ylang and local traditions
The CNRO museum
Wikivoyage (FR) lists the CNRO museum, just outside town on the road to Marodoba and Lokobe, open on weekdays. It is one of the few cultural sites on the island and pairs well with the natural sights. We give neither prices nor opening hours, which change.
The island of perfumes
Wikipedia (ES) recalls that the island is known for the ylang-ylang (cananga) flowers harvested since 1920, hence its nickname, and Wikipedia (EN) that ylang-ylang and tourism are now its main activities. Distilleries are possible visits, to be checked locally.
Festivals and traditional fights
Wikivoyage (EN) lists bare-fisted traditional fights, the moraingy, every Sunday afternoon at Dzamandzar; Wikipedia (ES) mentions an annual festival, the Donia, in May. Check dates before you book.
Food and drink
Fish, prawns, coconut and Malagasy rice
From the sea
According to Wikivoyage (DE), the cooking of Nosy Be is centred on seafood: fish, prawns and lobster, often with coconut. It also carries a Creole influence that mixes African, European and Asian elements.
Malagasy dishes
Rice is the base, with romazava, a beef and leafy-greens stew, or ravitoto, pork with cassava leaves. Wikivoyage (FR) lists cheap eateries and restaurants in the Hell-Ville bazaar.
Evenings and spices
In the evening Ambatoloaka offers skewers and local dishes (Wikivoyage FR). Vanilla, clove, pepper and ylang-ylang farming also shape the food, according to Wikipedia (DE). Drink bottled water.
Getting around
Taxis, tuk-tuks, scooters and boats
On the island
Wikivoyage (DE) describes taxis without meters where the price is negotiated, tuk-tuks for short trips and scooter rental; the roads are good but many tracks are unpaved. Wikivoyage (FR) says tuk-tuks run only in Hell-Ville.
To the islets
Boats run regularly to Nosy Komba and Nosy Sakatia (Wikivoyage DE); Nosy Iranja is about 90 minutes away by sea (Wikivoyage FR). Check the boat's safety and the weather before you set off.
Good to know
Wikipedia (EN) notes that there are no traffic lights on the island. Wikivoyage (DE) says nudity on the beaches is not allowed, given the country's conservative culture.
Budget and precautions
Budget, health and safety
Price level
The currency is the ariary (MGA). Wikivoyage (EN, DE) says accommodation outside Hell-Ville can cost up to twice as much as on the mainland and may lack modern comforts; a package can work out cheaper than separate bookings. We do not publish amounts, as we could not confirm them on two current sources.
Flights
SniperAir tracks prices to NOS and compares them with the route's real history, but it does not sell or book tickets. Consider Antananarivo too, a frequent entry point before a domestic flight.
Health
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre for advice before you leave. Wikivoyage (DE) flags a risk of malaria and dengue, limited medical care on the island and non-drinkable tap water; protect yourself from mosquitoes and sun.
Safety
Official advice differs between countries of departure: read your own government's advice before booking. Wikivoyage (EN, DE) finds the area fairly safe but recalls that a serious incident in 2013 led to travel warnings; avoid walking alone at night in isolated places and do not show valuables.
When to go
Hot and humid, with a shorter dry season
November to March
More frequent rain and high humidity according to Wikivoyage (DE); Wikipedia (ES) puts the rainfall peak in January.
April to October
The period Wikivoyage (DE) recommends most: drier, less rain, ideal for the beach, the sea and excursions. April to June and September to October are quieter.
August to November
Wikivoyage (DE) puts humpback whale and whale shark watching between August and November, Wikivoyage (FR) between August and October.
Wikipedia (EN) describes a tropical savanna climate with a wet season from October to early May, while Wikivoyage (DE) puts it from November to March: the sources differ. Wikipedia (ES) gives about 2,244 mm of rain a year, Wikipedia (DE) about 2,000 mm. We do not publish precise temperatures.
By length of stay
What to do on Nosy Be, by length of stay
Beach and Hell-Ville
The beaches of Andilana or Madirokely, the Hell-Ville bazaar and the sunset from Mont Passot.
Nosy Komba, Tanikely and Lokobe
Add a boat trip to Nosy Komba and Nosy Tanikely, and the Lokobe reserve with a guide.
Nosy Iranja and Mitsio
Nosy Iranja, Nosy Sakatia, or a cruise to the Mitsio islands; check sea conditions.
In pictures
Nosy Be in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Nosy Be
How far is Nosy Be airport from Hell-Ville?
Fascene Airport (NOS) is about 15 km north-northeast of Hell-Ville, according to Wikivoyage (FR). Taxis and tuk-tuks meet passengers, and Wikivoyage (DE) advises booking the transfer in advance.
How do I get from the mainland to Nosy Be?
By air to Fascene Airport, or by sea: speedboats link Ankify with Hell-Ville harbour in 40 to 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage (FR, EN, DE), and slower car ferries carry vehicles.
Is Nosy Be safe?
Wikivoyage (EN, DE) finds the area fairly safe but recalls that a serious incident in 2013 led to travel warnings. Official advice differs between countries of departure: read your own government's advice before booking.
What health precautions should I take?
Ask a doctor or a vaccination centre before you leave: malaria and dengue, limited care on the island, bottled water, protection against mosquitoes and sun.
When is the best time to go to Nosy Be?
Wikivoyage (DE) recommends April to October, the drier period, with April to June or September to October to avoid the crowds. Rain is concentrated in the southern summer, and whales can be seen from August to November.
How much does a flight to Nosy Be usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Nosy Be drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Nosy Be (NOS) as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected. SniperAir monitors and alerts, it does not sell or book tickets.
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